Binding Agents And Barrier Creams
It is known that some topical and oral substances can chemically bind nickel and prevent nickel ACD.104 These substances promote chelation of nickel, and thus prevent its antigenic properties they are usually used in combination with others treatments, such as topical steroids.105 Barrier creams act as an invisible glove, protecting the skin from environmental allergens.106
The most utilized binding agent is ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid , which can be included at a 15% concentration in a cream in association with topical steroids. Memon showed that a cream containing 15% ETDA and 1% hydrocortisone was able to reduce the allergic reactions to patch tests with 20 pence coins in 10 of 26 nickel-sensitive subjects challenged for 2 days.107
Wöhrl demonstrated the preventive effect of 10% diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid in an oil-in-water emulsion in nickel-sensitized patients.108
Another binding agent is 5-chloro-7-iodoquinolin-8-ol , which was able of prevent allergic reaction in 2 days, in a cream containing clioquinol 3% and hydrocortisone 1%.109 Clioquinol is commercially available in association with hydrocortisone or flumethasone.
The efficacy of barrier creams in nickel allergy, particularly in patients with hand dermatitis, has been studied. 111 Starek showed that an association of hydrocarbons, silicon and cetaceum have inhibiting effects on the absorption of nickel through the skin.112
History And Clinical Examination
A detailed history should investigate possible source of exposure, including daily activities, environmental conditions, past and current occupations and manipulation of products. In children, it is important to examine and question their parents and careers.
Clinical features include localized primary eruptions or generalized secondary eruptions, which can be eczematous or not.
Primary eruptions are characterized by recurrent eczematous lesions on the sites of direct contact with the items that release nickel, such as earlobes , wrists , neck and umbilical region .54 The face and scalp may be involved from contact with cellular phones, piercing, and hair clasps.3,5557
In sensitized individuals, transcutaneous, inhalatory, intravenous or oral exposure to nickel can cause a systemic allergic contact dermatitis. Clinical features include involvement of previous exposed areas , as well as unexposed areas and general symptoms .
The maculopapular exanthema with flexural involvement presents as a symmetrical eruption of the neck, face, eyelids, elbow flexures and forearms, hands, inner thighs, anogenital regions, and may be generalized.58
Pompholyx has been associated with nickel allergy in women, adolescents and twins, but this issue still remains controversial.5961
Rarely nickel causes noneczematous dermatitis, such as contact urticaria, papular lichenoid eruption and vasculitis-like lesions. 64,6567
How To Test For A Nickel Allergy
To learn whether you have nickel allergy, you should visit your dermatologist. They may order a laboratory test where a sample of your blood will be taken. Laboratory technicians will observe your white blood cells reaction to nickel ions and check if any physical changes occur with the cells. Increased activity of white blood cells indicates a nickel allergy.
Your dermatologist may also conduct an allergy test by exposing various metal ions to your skin, to see if there is a negative reaction. This is called a patch test where the suspected ions are applied to the patch. The patch is placed on the skin for 48 hours and removed by the doctor. If the skin shows signs of contact dermatitis, then the diagnosis may be a metal allergy.
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What Is Nickel Allergy
Nickel allergy is one of the most common causes of contact allergic dermatitis. In affected individuals, dermatitis develops in places where nickel-containing metal is touching the skin.
The most common sites for nickel dermatitis are the earlobes , the wrists and the lower abdomen the affected areas become intensely itchy and may become red and blistered or dry, thickened and pigmented .
Nickel was declared the Contact Allergen of the Year for 2008 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society .
A Review Of Eu Policy
Because the rate of release of nickel is important and relevant in determining whether there is a risk for Ni-ACD, articles may contain nickel but not cause a dermatitis reaction. For example, surgical stainless steel , which contains 10% to 15% nickel and does not release nickel more than 0.2 μg/cm2 per week , is therefore regarded as appropriate for use in articles in direct and prolonged contact with the skin. The American Section of the International Association for Testing Materials Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Adult Jewelry lists surgical stainless steel as one of the âapproved materials for adult body-piercing jewelry.â,,
Stakeholders may note that the nonprofit organization Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association does support the elimination of high-release nickel alloys and plating used in products with dermal contact such as jewelry and electronics., US legislators should advance evidenced-based policies to adopt a twofold guideline: adoption of the EU guidelines on nickel release in manufacturing and adoption of a policy to avoid usage of nickel in plating in household electronic devices. If the United States can incorporate safety directives and sound recommendations regarding nickel production and usage, as has been done in the EU, then the population can achieve significant reductions in Ni-ACD in the next 2 to 3 decades.
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What You Should Know About Silver And Nickel Allergies
A silver allergy is a form of metal hypersensitivity, which is a disorder of the immune system. Its a condition that affects around 10 to 15% of the population, although it mostly affects women. A silver allergy can produce a reaction called contact dermatitis, which includes symptoms such as swelling, rashes, or pain.
Most of the time, these skin allergies are actually nickel allergies. Because pure silver is usually too soft to be made into jewelry, a small amount of nickel is mixed in to keep the silver firm and lustrous. When the nickel seeps out of the jewelry, it comes into contact with the skin and can cause an allergic reaction. By avoiding nickel substances and using alternative metals such as sterling silver, you should be able to wear silver jewelry with no skin problems.
Why Are My Ears Reacting To Earrings
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Your ears may be reacting to earrings because of the metal in the earrings. Nickel is a common metal found in earrings and other jewelry, and it can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you are allergic to nickel, your ears may become red, itchy, or swollen after wearing earrings or other jewelry that contains nickel. You can ask your doctor about getting tested for a nickel allergy, and if you are allergic, they can prescribe a cream or ointment to help relieve the symptoms.
Most earrings are made from one of two types of metals: pure metal or alloys . The majority of metals, particularly alloys, cannot be used by the human body. Human body starts to resist metal as it becomes resistant, which causes a reaction. This reaction can take many forms, including itching, soreness, swelling, and bleeding. Because titanium is compatible with the human body, wearing titanium earrings 24 hours a day will not cause sore ears or bad reactions. It is always best to begin with a pair of stud earrings if you have very sensitive ears or if they cause them to rub against one another. Click here to get started with the Starter Stud Collection.
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Take Care Of Your Skin At Home
With or without the skin reaction, taking care of your skin is one of the most effective ways to treat your flare-up. For starters, make sure use a moisturizer thats fragrance-free, paraben-free, and contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid. These creams can help restore the epidermal barrier damaged by the rash. If the itching continues, use a wet compress.
First Advice: Avoid Exposure
The first thing to do is to stay away from Nickel containing items, pollution etc.
Avoid costume jewellery. Many people realise that they are allergic to Nickel after feeling itching and irritations while wearing costume jewelry. Its because costume jewelry often uses a Nickel alloy as the base metal. Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets or watches can trigger symptoms of a Nickel allergy. To avoid this exposure, you can try to wear only Nickel-free jewelry or try the Protective Cream HPS which protects your skin from contact with Nickel. Indeed, thanks to an exclusive and patented technology, the Protective Cream captures metal ions on the skins surface and prevents them from penetrating the epidermis. If you interested by this cream to wear costume jewelry, you can read the testimonial of Nikki by clicking here. Inspect your clothing. Nickel is also present in belt buckles, bra hooks, and metal buttons, zippers, and snaps. Try to avoid clothing with these elements. You can also use substitute materials such as zippers or clothing fasteners made of plastic or coated metals. Or you can create a barrier between these items and your skin using nail polish or the Protective Cream HPS. Be careful with electronics. Recent studies or articles show that electronic devices, as well as, connected devices can contain Nickel. You need to protect your skin from the contact with such objects .
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Nickel Allergy Protection For Apple Watch
Is there any way that I could get allergy protection from the nickel on the Apple Watch’s magnet pressing against my skin? I tend to sweat a lot, and sweating with it on gives me a rash from contact dermatitis in the area I wear the watch.
From that: Apple Watch models with a stainless steel or aluminum case, the stainless steel portions of some Apple Watch bands, the metallic portions of Hermès bands, and the magnets in the watch and bands contain some nickel. Nickel exposure from these materials is unlikely, but customers with known nickel allergies should be attentive when wearing them until they can determine they are not experiencing an allergic reaction.
As for allergies and dermatitis, best check for recommendations from your preferred medical provider.
Contact Apple directly as per previous reply, and contact your medical provider, yes. Your medical provider can usually determine if this is a nickel allergy, or if this is something else, and can provide suggestions for avoiding the problem.
As for allergies and dermatitis, best check for recommendations from your preferred medical provider.
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So, youre telling me that I should go on my Ascension MyChart, and send a Non-Urgent Medical Question about this matter. Is that what I should be doing for this?
Prevention Of Nickel Allergy
In most patients, nickel allergy is a life-long condition. While medical treatment and home remedies provide symptomatic relief, they cannot cure the condition. The best way of preventing an allergic reaction is to avoid direct contact with nickel for prolonged periods.
That involves checking with retailers, designers and manufacturers before purchasing any piece of jewelry or clothing. Also, they should use covers for their smartphones to prevent exposure to nickel.
Additionally, if a patient is undergoing surgery, they should inform the surgeons team about their condition. The same applies to patients about to undergo a dental procedure or have to buy new eyeglasses. It is just as important as avoiding foods that contain nickel.
People with nickel allergies should also stay away from stainless steel utensils and cookware. They should also avoid cooking with utensils that have metallic handles.
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Signs Of An Allergic Reaction
A nickel allergy often occurs after prolonged exposure and only in the area of the skin the nickel came into contact with. Symptoms of contact dermatitis will begin to appear within 24 to 48 hours and can last for 2 to 4 weeks. Common signs of an allergic reaction include:
- Dry patches that resemble a burn
- Blisters and draining fluid
- Bluish-green discoloration
How Is Nickel Allergy Diagnosed
Your doctor will examine your skin and talk to you about your medical history and what metals and other substances have contacted your skin. If the doctor suspects you have a nickel allergy, the next step might be a patch test. Tiny amounts of substances that might cause an allergic reaction, including nickel, are placed on your back and covered with patches that remain in place for 2 days. The patched test sites are then analyzed after two days, and again two or more days after that.
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How Are The Symptoms Of Nickel Allergy Treated
There is no cure for nickel allergy, but avoidance of contact with the inciting object often results in clearing of the rash. Treatments for contact allergies include lotions and creams, oatmeal baths, and other medications called topical corticosteroids that decrease inflammation. Antihistamines, medications that block a substance the immune system releases when it encounters something it is allergic to, can also be used. You might have to try different medications to see what works for you.
Systemic corticosteroids are occasionally used in short courses for severe spread of dermatitis. When other treatments have not helped, either because of spread of the contact allergy or association with other types of dermatitis such as atopic eczema , doctors sometimes use phototherapy also called light therapy which is the use of ultraviolet light on the skin. Phototherapy is a long process, and it can take months of steady treatments to produce an improvement.
Prevalence Of Nickel Allergy
The North American Contact Dermatitis Group , a group of 13 dermatologists in the United States and Canada, collects de-identified data on patch-tested patients and publishes the epidemiologic data every 2 years. Since 1992, nickel has been the most frequent positive allergen in the group’s screening panel of 65 allergens.2 Supporting data show that rates of nickel sensitivity have increased over the past decade. In 19921995, 14.5% of patients tested had a positive patch test to nickel
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Early Reporting Of Nickel Allergy
Weston et al first reported Ni-ACD in young pediatric patients in 1984. Until that point, it was unclear whether cutaneous immune function in infants was mature enough to mount such responses. After the report of this phenomenon by Weston et al, more attention to allergic reactions in infants and young children made it clear that contact allergy to nickel can begin in infancy, with some authors indicating increasing incidence after the age of 5 years.â Nickelâs place as a cause of contact dermatitis in pediatrics was solidified by these early reports.
How Can An Allergic Reaction To Nickel Be Prevented
While the allergy itself cant be prevented, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction to nickel is to avoid all objects containing it. Always check with the manufacturer, retailer, or label to find out if an item is made of or contains nickel before you buy or use it.
Nickel is also present in a surprisingly large number of foods and food products, including:
- soy milk and chocolate milk
- chocolate and cocoa powders
- certain canned and processed foods, including meat and fish
- certain grains, including:
- soy products, such as tofu
- certain fruits, including:
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The Clinical Appearance Of Nickel Contact Dermatitis Is Protean
Ni-ACD commonly is diagnosed on the basis of the appearance of itchy, persistent, erythematous, and/or lichenified papules and plaques that appear to conform to the area matching the exposure pattern of the metal object with the skin, for example, a circular erythematous plaque on the extensor wrist at the site of exposure to the backside of the wristwatch. Ni-ACD can also be caused by a child playing with a nickel-releasing object and then transferring the nickel to other sites.,, Ni-ACD has also been described with nail polish from a bottle with nickel metal balls included. This itchy rash is often diffuse and can occur on other less common areas, such as the scalp and eyelids.
Other jewelry-related patterns of appearance include a plaque over the upper back at the site of a necklace clasp pressed against the skin, periumbilical plaques at the site of belt buckle or button fly skin contact, midback plaques where bra hooks press against the skin, and earring plaques and/or nodules at the site of piercing because of exposure to highânickel-releasing earring posts.,, Dental amalgams are rarely high nickel releasing, but they still can cause oral lesions such as persistent oral lichenoid reactions near the amalgam, anesthetic sensation, and/or systemic lesions.
Is Your Jewelry Causing Your Skin Harm
This is a scenario we encounter far too often. You find a beautiful necklace. It looks amazing on you. Then a few days later, a red, unsightly rash shows up on your skin. Upon a closer look, it looks like the same shape as that latest purchase. Chances are, what youre experiencing is a nickel allergy, and its is an excellent time to see a dermatologist ASAP. These types of allergies are typical and must be addressed to avoid future discomfort and flare-ups.
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The Symptoms Of Nickel Allergy
The symptoms of nickel allergy vary depending on the type of reaction. For contact dermatitis, symptoms may include itching, redness, and swelling at the site of contact. For systemic contact dermatitis, symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, and tongue. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
What Treatment Options Are Available For Nickel Allergy
As is the case with most allergies, nickel allergy will not miraculously go away once a patients immune system identifies the metal as an intruder. However, there are certain treatments available to alleviate the symptoms of nickel allergy.
The most commonly used treatments for nickel allergy include:
- Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Oral antihistamines, such as cetirizine
- Topical corticosteroid creams, such as betamethasone dipropionate
- Topical non-steroidal creams, such as tacrolimus
Typically, antihistamines are prescribed to reduce skin itching. On the other hand, corticosteroids are commonly used to treat severe nickel allergy symptoms. Patients are advised to exercise caution when administering corticosteroids .
Additionally, prolonged use of corticosteroid creams can lead to topical steroid withdrawal once they stop the treatment. It is essential to follow the physicians instructions regarding dosage and duration of treatment with corticosteroids.
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